“We Were So Hungry, We Ate Our Fear”
The Uncertain Consequences of Cuba’s Protests

On Sunday July 11, in the town of San Antonio De Las Banos on the outskirts of Havana, historic protests erupted against the Cuban government. In the following days the protests spread to 40 cities and 22 smaller towns throughout the country, with protestors chanting ‘freedom’ and ‘down with the dictatorship’. The protests were fueled by anger over medicine, food and gas shortages, the Cuban government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, and a broader frustration with the status quo of repression and lack of freedom of expression.

The grassroots organizers used social media to spontaneously mobilize the public countrywide. Videos quickly spread of protestors flipping over police cars, looting stores and throwing rocks, all capturing international attention. An anonymous protestor in San Antonio stated, ’We are not afraid. We want change, we do not want dictatorship anymore’. The Cuban government responded in kind: ’The order to fight has been given–into the street revolutionaries!’ declared President Miguel Diez-Canal as he dispatched his military machine.

Numerous factors are responsible for the timing and size of the protests. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a sharp economic contraction as tourism and sugar production—the two main engines of the economy—collapsed, resulting in lack of foreign currency to pay debt and import basic goods and services.  This has had a profound impact on the economic and social life of the people on the island.

As protestors bravely were standing in the streets withstanding rubber bullets, tear gas, beatings, and the threats of arrest, there were shouts calling for “Freedom!” and “Liberty and Life!” from among the crowds.  Whether Cuba will endure a similar fate as Venezuela and Nicaragua with a shaken, but enduring communist regime, or whether this protest is a trigger of a broader movement, is uncertain. What is certain is that, not since Castro’s revolution 62 years ago, has the Cuban government faced such a grave threat to its existence.♦
Excerpts from @The Oxford Student

Pandemic versus Prayer Revival.  Report by a Friend from Cuba

After more than sixty years of devastating Marxist Socialist/Communist dictatorship, the island of Cuba is experiencing one of the most horrible moments in modern history.

Day by day, in the midst of the massive human suffering, it is the power of the Church—κοινωνία, the Fellowship of Believers which is sustaining the Cuban people. Like the salt of the earth and light of the world, as described by Jesus in Matthew 5:13-16, it is bringing hope to our island, which was described by its great admirer, Christopher Columbus as, “more beautiful than human eyes have ever seen.”

During the last eight months all church buildings have been closed. The pandemic has put the authorities on high alert as lack of proper food and vitamins are causing thousands and thousands to be infected with Covid-19 and hundreds are dying daily. The Church has risen to the occasion, being the only voice and messenger of hope of life for the nation of Cuba. With the disadvantage of having all church gatherings shut down, the Pastors and church leadership in Cuba have turned that into an advantage—using their creativity and innovation.  They have invaded social platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, etc. with a clear message: calling believers to prayer and fasting.

I know Pastors who have created groups on Telegram where they preach to 50 people or more at a time and record these messages. Then, everybody in the group distributes them to others who have prayer requests and are seeking to know the Living Jesus Christ, the Hope of Glory! One Pastor started preaching his sermons to a group of 10 on social media, which has now increased to 150 followers. Each of them downloads and resends these messages to hundreds more who are interested in the Living Word of God.

From R.K’s Corner

It is almost unimaginable that only 90 miles from the shores of Miami, one of the wealthiest coastlines in the United States, perhaps even the world, there is an island with a population of a little more than 11 million people who, except for a very wealthy governing elite, live in abject poverty.  For 62 years, Cuba has been controlled by a ruthless Marxist dictatorship which has oppressed, repressed, and suppressed their people’s lives and liberty.   On July 11, the people of Cuba shook off their fear of reprisals, took to the streets where they openly protested against tyranny and demanded freedom and liberty.  The world is taking notice!

A more quiet, less visible, yet profound and more lasting transformation has also been taking place in Cuba.  During the Covid-19 restrictions with church buildings and public gatherings on lockdown, the Christians in Cuba, as in many other oppressive nations, have risen to the occasion.  They have formed nationwide networks between churches and fellowships online, as well as physically in small groups.  Individual believers fearlessly and courageously come together to pray and intercede for each other and their nation.  There is a prayer revival emerging in Cuba!  They work together in finding and sharing resources with each other and the most needy in their communities with love, prayer for the hungry, the lost, the hopeless and lonely, the sick and dying as they present the Gospel by sharing testimonies of faith, and teaching them the Word of God

In this issue, I present a brief background on the unprecedented July protests.  The centerfold contains a report by a dear Cuban friend who is well connected with the Body of Christ in his country. Please pray for Cuba’s liberation and freedom, both spiritually and physically!

 

My name is Lemuel Urra Suarez. I was born on February 26, 1987 in Matanzas, Cuba.

My childhood was ordinary and carefree.  I have early memories of playing hide and seek with friends, followed by the different seasons of activities, like the kite seasons, Chivichana, (which essentially looked like a homemade wooded skate board with ball bearings) and the use of so many other homemade toys and creative games.

However, the most vivid memories still alive in my mind are from the life in our church: Sunday school where my mother imparted Bible stories, using cloth and paper figurines coated with an adhesive solution which would allow them to remain fixed in places on the cloth. I can still see Elisha and the altar consumed by fire from heaven. I can still see Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac on the altar. I remember the relief I felt as she then placed the lamb provided for the sacrifice on the cloth, and linked the story to the lamb that was to come.

I remember my father who, on a typical tropical Sunday preaching passionately, drenched in sweat as the few fans on the walls of our chapel tried their best to blow a little relief on him and the brothers and sister who congregated. What immense joy we felt as we gathered, as we praised the Lord together; as the word penetrated our very soul; as we enjoyed fellowship with each other after the service.  Even now, some 25 years later, I ponder and treasure the memories of the experience of  sharing of our meals together and truly having everything in common.

However, the shadow of  those believing in a different ideology lurked nearby.  In the name of social justice, they would cause us to lose power in our chapel in order to discourage and prevent our gatherings. On one occasion, one brother illuminated our place of worship with the lights of his vehicle, in order for us to be able to read our Bibles. They  would interfere with the teachings and life of our congregations, sometimes affecting those in leadership positions, and cause divisions from within. In the name of social justice, progress and the promise of a brighter future, they would see fit to mock and ridicule all those who professed faith in Christ.  We were publicly mocked in our schools and places of work.  Extreme pressure was placed on us to deny our faith – if we withstood and remained in the faith, we were regarded  as outcasts of society.

As I look back on all the experiences and hardships our brothers and sisters endured, I cannot stress enough the suffering they endured. So many details will not be included in this record. So many atrocities remain unnamed. However, God’s word remains ever faithful and true. There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought into the open.

My family and I arrived in the United States in 2001. The move was not our choice, but it became clear that we could no longer remain in our country.  As I reflect on my life in Cuba and in my current home in the States, one fact remains above all: The Lord has been good. We currently enjoy the freedom to preach in the streets two Saturdays a month. We are humbled by the opportunity the Lord has given us to serve the homeless in our community with bread and clothing, but— above else, the Gospel of Jesus.

 It is with a heavy heart I say this. The same ideology which is currently responsible for the demise of my home country, and others like Venezuela, North Korea and China, is beginning to take root in our current political landscape and culture in the States. I do not feel the need to expose this, as it is openly taking place.  It is happening in broad day light and in front of all eyes to see and ears to hear. Like in Cuba, in the name of social justice, progress and the promise of a brighter future, the leaders of this ideology work diligently to entice the minds of young and old.

I know who holds the future. If you have read the book of Revelations, you know who wins! However, in times like this, we cannot be passive and just sit from Sunday to Sunday in our churches and simply enjoy the current freedoms we have.  Truthfully, we do not know how long we will have our freedom.  We cannot afford to just go about our daily lives while this gradual breakdown of our society is taking place: killing the unborn; redefining the concept of family; removing our freedoms and liberties one by one; openly making a mockery by denying the law of our Lord.

If this record can inspire anything in your heart, mind and soul, let it be this; Preach the Gospel!  Reach the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ! Strengthen your faith and be sure you have oil in your lamp!

I have lived in the United States for almost 20 years.  We serve the Lord and strive to do so until our last breath.  I have become quite familiar with so-called “American Christianity”. If persecution where ever to come into this country, how many of those sitting next to you in church on Sunday would remain? Coming from a persecuted country, I think only between 10 and 15% would remain. This is consistent with his everlasting word: “Fear not little flock”.  May we hold fast and be among His flock. Time is short!

I am humbled and honored to share the following words with you. Glory to God forever!

The Faithful Church

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: ‘I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.  Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name’.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev. 3:7-13

From R.K.’s Corner

Those who have followed our ministry from the early years, may remember that, in 1994, Steve and I began serving the believers in Cuba. Initially through our local church, later via The Bridge, we have been partnering with a native Cuban, Jorge Urra, and his wife, Magdalena. who through his apostolic gifts and passion for The Gospel, has given us access to resource a number of believers in Christ within the country. Please see:  https://www.bridgeinternational.org/category/cuba/

Their son, Lemuel grew up in Cuba. When he was 14, the family had to leave and moved to the States.   From Miami, Jorge and his family have passionately continued to serve his countrymen with the Great Commission in Cuba, and in other Hispanic nations.  

Lemuel is now 32, is married with two children, and is very much part of the Millennium generation in this country.  However, having first hand  experienced the hardship directed toward his people living under the communist/socialist system in Cuba,  Lemuel has a unique perspective on the steady secularization of the church in the States, and the growing move and enticement  of socialism, especially among young people.  He has a message and words of wisdom for his generation, as well as for the Christian believers in the West.

FROM R.K.’s CORNER

There is a fire of revival in Cuba!  Some compare the growth of new believers to that of the house church movement in China! In 1994, when Steve and I began serving the indigenous Pastors in Cuba, there were approx. 400 home fellowships on the island.  Some estimate that today, there are in excess of 16,000 house churches!

Steve and my relationship with Christian believers in Cuba began in 1994. The Spanish Pastor of our local church in Fort Lauderdale, Ed Negron, had begun traveling with suitcases full of relief aid which was given to the local pastors for distribution among the starving population in the country.  At the time, Steve and I were leading the Missions Department at our church, thus helped accommodate his ministry. A couple of years later, Dru Anderson,joined our church, and began helping Pastor Ed in his outreach to Cuba.  She not only traveled numerous  times with the teams as a “mule”, but spent longer periods of time in Cuba and came to know many of the local pastors and believers in the country. 

In spite of the economic embargo between the United States and Cuba, our church obtained a license from the State Department in Washington, permitting us to bring in needed  supplies, to travel within Cuba outside the restricted areas for tourists, and to bring visiting Cuban Pastors to the States . In 1997, when Pastor Ed’s health prevented him from continuing, and the church ceased the Cuban outreach, The Bridge undertook that responsibility.  Dru became our “Ambassador” to Cuba, and continued traveling  to Cuba under The Bridge’s auspices.  Several Cuban pastors were permitted to visit the States, and Steve and I came to know many of them, which brought us much mutual joy!

One of those pastors was Jorge Urra.  It became obvious to us that he had the apostolic gift for his people, with a vision and burden to reach all of Cuba for Christ, and work in unison with all Christian churches on the island, regardless of denominational affiliation.  He became a frequent visitor to our home.  A beautiful, twenty year friendship and partnership ensued between Jorge and Steve. Jorge brought from the Cuban pastors the list of the specific needs, and Steve used his entrepreneurial skills and personal finances in partnership with our Bridge donors, to meet those needs.  It translated into monthly support of 100 pastors for three years; mules, bikes, wellingtons, and lanterns for rural evangelists; restoration of houses for the use of home churches; a tractor, a fish farm, a pig farm, a wood working business; funds toward distribution of Bibles, and establishment of 100 small micro businesses—the list goes on.  We are privileged to serve the Cuban people through Jorge Urra, a man of faith and integrity whom we fully trust! 

  APRIL 2016 TRIP REPORT FROM CUBA – by JORGE URRA

2015 was a challenging year, as we saw an enormous increase of thousands of Cuban athletes, children and young people surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ and receiving Him as their hope for the future.  They truly are a living testimony of Psalm 121, as they lift their eyes to heaven, well above their trials and tribulations with songs of hope, while looking to the grace and mercy of God! “I lift up my eyes to the mountains– where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber…”  (Ps. 121:1-3)

THE SPORTS MINISTRY 

The top Cuban professional baseball player and his team have come to faith in Christ.  The leader of the Sports Ministry reported that in 2014, a total of 15,000 decisions for Christ were made in baseball and soccer stadiums throughout the country.  Cuban professional baseball players, the big stars, respectfully remove their caps in the stadium when the leader of the Sports Ministry publicly offer a prayer to the Lord before the they begin playing the game.  Christian literature is made available to those who attend the game.

More than 20 pastors have opened new house churches, using a powerful evangelistic tool — they first reach the children and through them, they reach their parents, as well.

VISITING PASTORS AND CHURCHES

I visited a Pastor in the central part of the country. He told me that the number of new believers grew so fast in the last six months of 2015 in the central and eastern part of the country  that it is difficult to accommodate them all.  They have opened more than 25 new churches, and the need for more keeps growing!  In order to reach those living in inaccessible areas, they are rebuilding roads, and establishing new churches and village parks.  They are using new strategies in order to expand the Gospel and also to each the people who have gone astray.

Hector Palacios is a young pastor from Matanzas, Cuba who works with young people. He told me that he preached at a camp in Villa Clara to 500 young people who had attended this camp for two years in a row.  Through the blood of Jesus Christ, God has conquered their hearts and made them brand new in Christ!  Hector continues in his quest to win young people for Christ. He disciples and teaches a young couple from his church who moved 200 kilometers west of his church.

Through this couple, Hector Palacios has planted a new church in the town of Hatillo. When I gave him a financial gift, he told me “We pastors have so little to work with, yet we share what we have.  When we receive extra resources, it encourages us so  much—it makes us bring a fresh breath of life to those in need.”  In the midst of their poverty, they experience the reality of Psalm 37:25, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor their children begging bread.”

I met with an army of young pastors with a passion for the Lord.  I fed them with the Word of God and encouraged them to take to the streets with guitars and impact people, and pray for the sick— Christ is our medicine. Often they have no food, but Christ is the bread of life. 

Someone once told me that the time in life to give one’s best to God is at the age of thirty. This is the average age in the group of the young missionaries who are winning Cuba for Christ!

They are saturating the country with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and planting churches, especially in the mountainous areas where others do not go. They conduct Leadership Training seminars and prepare new missionaries to go out and together win Cuba for Christ. 

A FEW FACTS ABOUT CUBA

Cuba is a long, narrow island.  It stretches 750 miles from the East to the West, which is located only 90 miles from the continental United States. It is 120 miles at its widest part and only 20 miles at its narrowest portion. The landscape is predominately flat and fertile, but in different parts of the country, relatively high mountains run across the island. The highest peak stands 6,000 feet above sea level. Cuba has a moderate subtropical climate with mostly warm temperatures.  The dry season spans from November to April, and the rain season lasts from May till October. The official language is Spanish. The population is 11.2 million, of which 75% live in urban areas.  The capital is Havana (or “Habana”).

In spite of Cuba’s close proximity (only 90 miles) to South Florida where the median annual income is $50,000.00, most Cubans are  paid a meager $240.00 a year ($20.00 per month).  A professional earns approx. $50.00 per month—$600.00 per year.  Yet—the Cuban people are known to be extraordinarily resourceful and generous with the little they have.  “We want to share with others what we have, not we what have left over!”